Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 4: The Shri Durgambika Bhajana Mandali of MLA Hostel, one of the oldest and most reputed bhajana groups in the city, celebrated its 52nd annual Navaratri Mahotsav with devotion and grandeur under the leadership of its honorary president and Ajanta Caterers proprietor, Jayaram B Shetty. The mandali was founded under the leadership of renowned hotelier Padmakar Gambhir.

As every year, the nine-day festival featured various religious rituals at the shrine of Shri Durgambika, including Ganahoma, daily puja, worship of Shri Annappa Panjurli Daiva, Mahakali Amman puja, bhajans, and mangalarati. On Vijayadashami, the concluding day, kalasha puja, bhajans, maha puja, prasada distribution, and annasantarpane were held, followed by a procession to Chowpatty for kalasha immersion, marking the end of the Navaratri festivities that began with the ritual of ghatastapana.

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar attended the festival and was felicitated by president Jayaram Shetty, who offered the goddess’s prasada in his honour.

Prominent among those present at the kalasha puja were honorary president Jayaram B Shetty, president Harish S Khedekar, vice president Naveen K Shetty, general secretary Suresh Shetty, secretary Raju Poojary, treasurer Manikya Kotian, joint secretaries Chandra Mogaveer, Yogesh Putran, Madhav Mogaveer, and Yogesh Banger, chief advisor Vitthal Sherigar Katapady, and hundreds of devotees and well-wishers.

Speaking on the occasion, honorary president Jayaram Shetty said, “It is a matter of pride that Shri Durgambika Bhajana Mandali has successfully completed its 52nd Navaratri celebrations. This success is a result of the foresight and unity of Padmakar Gambhir and his associates. It stands as a symbol of our collective faith and devotion, which we shall continue to strengthen in the years ahead.”